You're No Ricky Bobby

Yes, we all know that the 215 to 95N ramp is a long sweeping curve. And it's tempting because it looks like a NASCAR corner. But you're going to get a heck of a surprise sometime, because it's a blind corner. Think that one through next time you're driving between the lane marker and the jersey barrier.

But if you're going to pretend you're in NASCAR, at least learn how to take a corner. Until you can define the word "apex" and what it means for a corner, just stay between the lines.

Chain of Fools

A six car pileup on 215 begets a five car pileup on 215. Two chain reactions within a few hundred feet - impressive lack of paying attention there, people.

Then after everyone weasels past the accidents, they get all excited and start rocketing down the highway doing about 90. Of course, then they all slam to a halt at the first onramp as traffic doing 45 tries to merge and there's a general freakout.

Then a mile later, once traffic is up to a reasonable 80 in the left lane, we all have to freak out again as there's a tractor/trailer in the middle lane doing under 60. This screws up traffic as everyone has to try to figure out how to pass on both sides, then collide with traffic merging from the onramp. Thanks, dude.

I'm not sure whether it's better or worse than the loaded dual trailer gravel haulers I routinely catch tailgating people doing 85 in the left lane. Now, I've never driven anything bigger than a bus, but I had a hunch that you can't stop that truck fast enough to avoid killing a number of people. Let's all just hope for the best...

Couldja Be Less Obvious?

You might get the idea that I live in a skeezy neighborhood. Maybe so...

One indication is seeing a teenager hanging out by the payphone at the 7-11. For an hour or two... Yeah, that's not obvious. You would think whoever he's running drugs for could afford a pre-paid cell phone. They're pretty darn anonymous. I guess the drug dealers around my area just like to keep it old school.

How'd You Get Up There?

Off to the side of the highway are three cars with minor damage, and a fourth on a tow truck. What was interesting was a sedan that appeared to have been sideswiped and somehow made it all the way up the embankment. Either he managed some impressive offroading, or jumped the jersey barrier. Impressive either way.

Passengering

It's occasionally fun being a passenger on the highway because you get to watch other drivers.

"Awful lot of bald guys with small sunglasses driving around."

"Dude, that lady was smoking and picking her nose at the same time."

"Most people get freaked out when you wave, but that guy was okay."